Well See About That
No! As long as were living in this madhouse with your mother and Lily, there wont be any wedding!
Katherine, must you be so hasty? We could rent the dresswe still have time. Or postpone it if you prefer. Theres no need for all this drama, sighed Edward.
You dont understand, Katherine crossed her arms. Its not about the dress. Its about feeling like Im living in a battlefield. Your sisters a grown girl with the sense of a child. And honestly, the real problem is Margaret.
Edward didnt care for such remarks, though he couldnt deny there was truth in them. Long ago, Margaretwhether by accident or designhad turned Lily against Katherine.
Theyd met at university, their relationship progressing slowly, as neither had their own place. Edward still lived with his family, insisting it was merely for convenience.
Ive a flat from my grandmother, hed say. No need for it now, so Mum lets it out. When we need it, well fix it up.
A year later, they did need it. Edward decided it was time to take the next step. Both had their degrees, steady jobswhy delay any longer?
Well stay with Mum a few months, then marry and move, he declared. Six months at most, and well have our own place.
At first, Katherine was thrilled. It sounded serious, mature. Then doubt crept intheyd never lived together, and now shed be thrust into the lions den with her future mother-in-law. Would it ruin what they had?
Almost.
Margaret wasnt the monstrous sort. Shed even offered to help with the wedding, cooked for them all, never raised her voice. The trouble lay elsewhere.
Her idea of discipline was particular. Lily, the younger daughter, had been indulged too long and needed firm handling. But Margarets version of firm was harsh.
Once, while brewing tea, Katherine overheard a row. Margaret was leafing through Lilys schoolbook, frowning at the poor marks.
Honestly, must you fail at everything? Hand over your phone and tablet. Youll get them back when your work improves.
Lily rolled her eyes. Fine. Ill just borrow Edwards.
Margaret scoffed. Think youll always hide behind him? Soon hell have his own wife, his own life. Hell forget us.
Well see about that! Lily snapped, hurling her devices onto the table before storming off.
Katherine winced. She knew Margaret had gone too far, but correcting a grown woman felt awkward.
That seemed rather severe, she ventured.
Needs must, Margaret said flatly. Life isnt all fun and games.
That truth cost Katherine dearly.
Lily had always been distant, avoiding meals, retreating when they gathered. At first, Katherine thought her shy. Then came the petty tormentshiding the remote in summer heat, ruining her cosmetics. When Edward installed a lock on their door, Lily shrieked:
How am I to do my schoolwork now?
Youll use the computer under my watch, he replied.
You never locked things before!
Before, I lived alone. And you never rifled through my things.
Liar! Its all Katherines faultI hate her!
Lily sobbed in her room all evening. Katherine was torndisgusted by the girls spite, yet unwilling to escalate things.
Shes just a child, Edward shrugged.
Shes twelve, Katherine countered. Ed, lets just rent a place now.
Dont be daft. Mum says four monthswell manage.
Four months. An eternity to Katherine.
She tried kindnesschocolates, asking after Lilys day. The girl took the sweets, muttered fine, and nothing changed. Only worsened.
One morning, rushing out, Katherine slung her bag on the door hook. Later, she noticed it disturbedand her keys missing. Stranded outside, she waited an hour for Margarets return.
She knew where theyd gone. Margaret confronted Lily, retrieved them, but the damage was done. Katherine guarded her belongings fiercely after that. Edward, however, still left doors unlockeda mistake that sealed their fate.
On the weddings eve, chaos reignedfinal calls to guests, the photographer, last-minute preparations. That night, Katherine opened the wardrobe to admire her gownonly to find it slashed to ribbons. She knew whod done it.
Trembling, she dragged Edward to see.
You wretched girl! Margaret raged. Ill tan your hide for this! Youll work every penny back!
Lily was punished, but the gownand Katherines nerveswere beyond repair.
She refused compromises. No rented dress, no postponement. She wouldnt bend to others whims any longer.
Katherine, sleep on it. Well sort it tomorrow, Edward pleaded.
No, Ed. Either we live apart, or not at all. Im tired of waiting for your mother to relinquish your flat, of your sisters meddling. A relationship takes work, but not like this. Im not even your wife yet, and Im exhausted.
She packed her charger, hunted for her documents.
Where will you go? The renovations wont take forever
She didnt listen. Every excuse rang hollow now.
That night, she wept at her friends flat. Yesterday, shed been a happy bride; today, she had nowhere to belong.
For three days, Edward called relentlessly. On the third, she answered.
Katherine, this is wretched. Were shattered too. But must we end everything? Well buy another gowntoday, if you like. Just dont go.
She hesitated. Edward was kind, considerateif a bit soft. She loved him. But
If we marry, its on my terms.
Which are?
A wedding just for us. No help, no interference. Weve celebrated enough with your family. Later, well host a dinner for close onesno more. And we rent a flat. I wont live guarding my things.
Silence. Harsh terms, but shed accept nothing less.
Alright, he finally said.
The wedding was quietjust the registry, photographs, three days away, alone. No fuss, no frenzy.
Edwards family took offense. Katherine didnt care. This day wasnt for them. Some hadnt earned so much as a cup of tea in her company.
At the dinner, Lily was meeklikely chastened. Katherine took no pride in it. Shed never wanted war, but if forced, shed hold her ground. Lily might be a child, Margaret might mean well, but from now on, her familys borders were closed.
